Hosszúpereszteg – Ötvös (OKT 7th day hike)

This section of the National Blue Trail starts from the Saint Stephen King Church in Hosszúpereszteg. The Blue Trail stamp is located on the church fence, and if you want to buy some provisions, there's a small shop next to the church. Along the way, there won't be opportunities to get supplies, unless the buffet line at Szajki Lakes is operating (which can be expected in the summer season). Head south along the village's main street! After just under a kilometer on the charming Árpád Street, you leave Hosszúpereszteg, and at the edge of the village, a Firefighter Museum operates; then follows the only noticeable climb on the tour. Walk another kilometer on the main road leading toward Mikosszéplak, then after the climb and two curves, turn right into the forest on a dirt road. The wide forestry road leads straight to the Szajki Lakes.

The partly natural lake system was formed by damming the north-south flowing Csörgető Creek. Following the K markings, you walk along the left bank of the creek and lakes, at some distance from the water, but because of the fishing paradise, every lake can be circled on well-maintained roads and paths. We recommend the detour; it is worth it because the lake system surrounded by fishing huts and piers is very atmospheric. Originally, there were only two lakes in the valley, between which a water mill used the water's potential energy – the other lakes were artificially created. Ten cross dams were built, the first in 1931. Until 1975, there was also a railway nearby with a station, so thousands visited the lakes on weekends until then.

The Blue Trail stamp is at the resort, near the main road, on a wooden post in front of the forestry house. In summer, there is even a beach on the lakeshore; buffets are available for visitors, and overnight accommodations are also possible: a rich selection of guesthouses exists, and there is also a campground. On the dam next to the beach, you can find a memorial plaque for the painter Ferenc Krieg, who often visited the lakes for inspiration.

Szajki Forestry House – Ötvös

After stamping, we leave the wonderful lakes behind, but not the lake system yet: we walk past three more lakes; however, these are not surrounded by buildings but used for fish farming. It is worth walking out to the closing dam of the last lake because there is a beautiful view from there; the remainder of the route is quite unremarkable.

You leave the lakes with a sharp left turn, then walk mainly on forestry roads of varying condition on the next section of the Blue Trail, occasionally taking right-angle turns. Only in two places do we briefly follow classic footpaths; these are the most beautiful parts of the hike. The route without sights or notable features mainly goes through hornbeam-oak forest but also passes through some pine forest patches.

After completing this desolate section, we arrive beside the former Ötvös railway station, after which you need to turn right onto the main road. It is another 450 meters on asphalt to the Ötvös Blue Trail stamp, then turn left into the forest. The stamp is located on a wooden post.